PSL champ Gladiators’ owner dedicates trophy to armed forces

KARACHI: Overwhelmed by the huge success, Quetta Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar on Monday dedicated the Pakistan Super League (PSL) trophy to the armed forces of Pakistan.

Two-time PSL runner-up Quetta Gladiator broke the jinx on Sunday night when they defeated star-studded Peshawar Zalmi to claim the prestigious title for the first time. The historic revival of international cricket in Pakistan was witnessed by a massive crowd at Karachi’s National Stadium which exceeded the 80,000 figure.

Talking to a local media outlet, Omar joyously said that his team will celebrate the long-awaited victory with the people of Quetta while adding that he wants to “dedicate the trophy to Pakistan army without whose assistance, it [PSL] would not have been possible”.

Omar, while revealing his plan, said that there will be a celebratory event in Quetta as well.

“I have already talked to Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal regarding the arrangements,” he disclosed while adding that foreign players will not be able to make it as they would have departed by then.

Omar further hoped that the success of Quetta Gladiators will usher a new era of sports in a province that still lacks basic facilities.

He observed that houseful stadiums during the eliminators have proven the country’s love and passion for cricket. The champion team’s owner also praised former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi for his pioneering role which helped revive international cricket in Pakistan and stressed that “it should not be forgotten”.